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Jade Mayflower sees ghosts, can curse with enough vitriol to strip paint, and drives like she’s in an action movie. In short, she’s not a typical Private Investigator. Which is just as well because Connie Mason isn’t a typical client. She’s a disembodied spirit who appears in Jade’s office one night with a job: Find out what happened to her and who did it.

Jade takes the case, not only because Connie has one of the cutest butts Jade has ever seen and a personality to match, but also because of Jade’s righteous sense of justice—the tush is a nice bonus, though. With Connie as her vaporous partner, Jade investigates Connie’s life and the truth begins to take shape. In spite of herself, Jade is drawn to the sweet, and sometimes spicy, young woman who has a habit of blushing adorably when Jade flirts with her—and who flirts right back.

Even as their partnership deepens into something much more, Connie is being called over to the other side and she can’t resist forever. Time is running out as Jade races against the clock to solve a crime where she is falling in love with the victim.

232 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2019

6 people are currently reading
234 people want to read

About the author

Mildred Gail Digby

8 books58 followers
Mildred Gail Digby's favorite thing to do is add women-loving-women to any situation and make a novel about it. She will squeeze a happy ending out of anything and still blushes when she writes love scenes.

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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Lex Kent.
1,683 reviews9,872 followers
September 30, 2019
4.25 Stars. This was a really enjoyable read. I have been fighting off an awful reading slump lately. This mystery-romance with a paranormal twist was exactly the kind of book I needed to help combat my slump. This book releases October 1st and is the perfect kind of book to read for this time of year. While this is my first book I have read by Digby, it absolutely won’t be my last.

Jade is a foul-mouthed private investigator with a tough past. Now in her early 40’s, Jade is trying to reinvent herself by helping people who can’t help themselves. Or in this case instead of helping a person, she’s helping a ghost. After a near death experience Jade can see and communicate with ghosts so when the adorable Connie asks for help finding her murderer, Jade can’t say no. Can Jade find out the truth of what happened to Connie and what happens if Jade starts having feelings for a ghost?

I do have to admit it took a minute to get into the story. I felt some of the early dialogue was almost a little forced, it kept me from not really understanding who Jade’s character is supposed to be. However, once a few chapters go by, Digby gets on a roll and the writing smoothed out nicely. I soon felt connected to the book, to the characters of Jade and Connie, and I didn’t want to stop reading.

I was really happy with how well developed both main character are. You slowly learn more about both characters and you can’t help rooting for them. Jade’s past affects her every day of her life and I thought her character ended up being very well done. Connie’s life is part of the mystery and as you find out more clues, you understand more about her too. I’m really happy with how well written both characters were.

While this is a mystery that had some good twists to keep things interesting, what I found to be surprising was how much I actually enjoyed the romance of the book. This is an age-gap romance between a human and ghost. First just to address the age-gap… Where both characters are in their lives, I felt they really fit together. And even with Jade being older, her maturity level is close to Connie’s so it made the age-gap really work and I hardly noticed it. Okay, now I’m going back to the ghost-human part of the romance. As a paranormal fan this is not a new storyline for me and many readers out there. Luckily, the way Digby handed it was really well done and very satisfying. Parts of the romance are a little limited considering the different circumstances the characters have to deal with, so it is not a normal everyday romance, but it worked. I was happy with the romance and I think romance fans will be happy with something that’s a little different but still sweet and enjoyable.

The way this book ended, everything is wrapped up but there could easily be a sequel. I’m keeping my fingers crossed because I want more of the foul-mouthed investigator. I absolutely recommend this to mystery and or paranormal-romance fans. While this deals with murder and ghosts, this book has a lightness about it so it’s never too dark or scary. Digby has been on my radar for a while so I was happy to finally get a chance to read her. She did not disappoint and I will be reading her books again.

A copy was given to me for a honest review.
Profile Image for Alexis.
510 reviews649 followers
January 5, 2020
Move over Casper!

The plot. Private investigator Jade Mayflower is racing against the clock to find out what happened to her latest client, a young woman who has no idea what happened to her or who did it. Connie however isn't like the other spirits Jade has helped. She's kind, sweet, funny and makes poor Jade trip on her tongue whenever she flirts with her.

The characters. I can't chose who I liked more. Connie, the sweet and kind soul who broke my heart or Jade, the rough around the edges softie that curses like a sailor. This book also has lots of great secondary characters who each play a vital part in the mystery or provide some much needed levity to an otherwise dark story.

The writing. Where do I begin? I couldn't put this book down. The mystery and excellent pacing had me turning the pages like a woman possessed. I loved how the story kept me guessing and managed to hold my attention despite it being obvious who the baddie was towards the end. Throughout the book as it's slowly revealed what happened to Connie we also get fragments of Jade's equally tragic past.

The special. I don't think I've ever come across someone who curses the way Jade does. Inventive, hilarious and scathing she had me laughing several times at her outbursts. The book has a twisted sense of humor to it so beware.

The negative. Quite a few simple spelling and grammar errors like bedside instead of beside. The book also has several trigger warnings. I won't list them because they're spoilers but please note this book has some very dark subject matters within. None of them are explicit but they are mentioned and alluded to.

The verdict. If you're a fan of love stories with a paranormal twist and a well written mystery then you should definitely take a closer look at this book. Full 4* rating for this sweet spookfest.
Profile Image for JulesGP.
650 reviews231 followers
December 2, 2019
I never read the blurb for Stay so I had zero inkling as to what the book was about. In the beginning, I thought, ahh a detective story reminiscent of the old gumshoe paperbacks I’ve always loved. But no, a spirit pops up and so it’s a paranormal mystery. Cool. But then there’s sexy chemistry between the blonde babe client and the ex-con PI so it’s a romance. Finally, I told myself to just shut up and get in the damn car before it speeds off without me.

Stay is a very fast, fun read with plenty of action and the kind of dialogue that I crave. Jade Mayflower, is a great tough as nails mc who has a tender heart for family and friends. She has a lot of unique quirks, imaginative cursing and the craziest pie-love that I have ever read, just to name a few. Connie Mason is the vulnerable victim who grows stronger and more endearing as the story progresses. The supporting characters add dashes of colorful humor. I’ll admit that I’m not very sharp at ever figuring out the whodunnit but I thought it was hidden well until the reveal. Enjoyed myself and I hope this book is the start to a series.
Profile Image for pipsqueakreviews.
588 reviews505 followers
December 20, 2020
A nice paranormal mystery romance.

I received a copy of this book from the author and am leaving an honest review.

The author has broadened my vocabulary of expletives. I have found that to be quite useful, so thank you.

Jade can see ghosts. She is also a private investigator and when Connie (a spirit) asks her to investigate her death, Jade rises to the challenge even though the job doesn’t pay. Of course it helps that Connie is sweet and has a cute ass. This job leads Jade straight to the people who have had a connection to Connie’s life and maybe her death too.

I can’t say I cared much for the mystery bit of the book because Digby drops clues every now and then so I wasn’t entirely surprised by who did what at the end of it all. But Connie’s past unfolds little by little through Jade’s investigations and I feel some degree of sadness every time Jade interviews a new side character who has been unkind and its worse because Connie is such a sweet girl.

Digby could not have picked a better main character than Jade who caught my attention right from the start with her constant need to yell out random expletives. She has a colourful history that makes her what she is and she is also sensitive and intuitive, making her a very good PI. And beyond her tough butch exterior, she’s a teddy bear on the inside.

Put Jade and Connie together, and you have the most mismatched pair ever, but they are also the best match because they even each other out. For this, I was a little dismayed by how little intimate contact there can be between them because, well, Connie is a spirit. But its because of this that every touch, hug and kiss becomes so precious.
Profile Image for AnnMaree Of Oz.
1,510 reviews130 followers
February 17, 2021
ACK, SO GOOD! A truly unique storyline.

Jade and her inventive swearing really amused me. Plus her intriguing backstory. I ended up feeling a lot of empathy for both characters, but especially the brash Jade. She comes off as so strong, but at the same time so vulnerable after all she has been through. She has a brave intensity going on, and also a real kindness for others.

Connie, I could relate to very much, as well. It was ironic that in "death" she seemed more alive than ever. Her own backstory was saddening, and I felt for her hardships, and I was so mad on her behalf several times, too. You could really see how her and Jade could make a great couple. I was rooting for them the whole time. Trying to figure out how they could make it work!

These were fully fleshed out characters who really made me heart ache for them. The side characters were equally well done. A Highly Recommended read!!
Profile Image for MaxDisaster.
677 reviews88 followers
April 8, 2022
3,5 stars
Ok, from a mystery viewpoint it's barely three stars. It was almost immediately clear who was at fault.
But from a romance viewpoint I'd give it 4,5 stars. It was fun, it was cute and it handled the "dating a ghost" thing really well.
I'd just wish they'd say what happened with Vickie.
Profile Image for XR.
1,980 reviews107 followers
November 2, 2020
Finally read this and it's bloody great!

It's the perfect book to hit my reading challenge goal for 2020.
Profile Image for Corrie.
1,694 reviews4 followers
December 8, 2019
“Well, I do have a special candle,” Amber began, and then raised her hands at Jade’s glare.
“Not that one—I know how you feel about Sapphic Magicks.”
“No fucking way I’m burning something shaped like a hoo-ha in my house,” Jade muttered. “No matter how much pussy I’m supposed to get from it. Smelled like someone took a dump on top of a bunch of rotten squirrels.”
“So you did light it!” Amber clapped, delighted. “All right, no candles then. I do have something in mind that may help you.”


Stay was a very enjoyable read. It was my first encounter with Mildred Gail Digby, but I’m sure it won’t be my last. I really liked main character, P.I. Jade Mayflower and her unconventional ways. Her creative use of swearwords were a source of great amusement. The romance part was unusual – Jade develops feelings for her client, ghost Connie - but I thought the author worked very creatively to keep the reader content.

The mystery part was interesting (although I caught the suspect early on and I was right). I had the feeling the plot was dragging a bit in the middle but nothing too onerous. Connie was a sweetheart. The cast of extras were well fleshed out and entertaining and on the whole it creates a good universe to base a series on. Well done!

f/f

Themes: poor Jade, after 20 years inside the outside world has become a very different place, I’m seeing dead people, where is Connie’s dead body?, apple pie, I’ve made some Kindle notes to give you a flavor.

4 Stars
Profile Image for C. Mack.
Author 2 books20 followers
October 2, 2019
Stay

Yep, I stayed with this and read it in just one sitting! I loved that it is a bit different from other storylines and plots, so the mystery is all the more intriguing.
A lovely read; well written with characters you quickly feel a kinship for.
Profile Image for Farah.
767 reviews86 followers
January 28, 2020
Yes, being Oda Mae Brown is on my ambition list. Is it a curse or a gift, being able to talk to the dead? If they're family members, that's a curse, IMO but random spirits, that'll be interesting. I applaud Ms.Digby for the original storyline and the gorgeous cover.
Profile Image for J.S. Frankel.
Author 92 books237 followers
September 20, 2019
I was given this novel by the author in exchange for an honest review. If you want odd, then this is the novel for you!

Jade Mayflower is a private investigator. She's tough, she's had some hard knocks in life, she uses language that would make a hardcore gangster seek absolution in a church, and she'll take her latest case, not because she needs the cash, but because her client is a ghost.

That's about all I'll say for now on that, except to say that Stay goes through a series of twists and turns until Jade figures out who killed her client, Connie, and why. Or is Connie really dead?

What Stay has going for it is a sharp, uncompromising view of the lead, Jade, warts and all. The other characters are also sharply defined. The dialogue ranges between semi-campy and knife-edged, and the author's use of expletives is creative as well as amusing.

A fast pace is also a bonus. I like quick paces, and Stay delivers in that regard.

The narrative is fine, with smooth transitions between paragraphs and trains of thought.

The only minor drawback is the formatting was a little wall-of-textlike in some areas, and there were a few punctuation mistakes, but this was an ARC, so I'm going to assume that the final version has been cleaned up. It didn't detract from my enjoyment of the novel in any way, shape, or form, but it sort of stuck out in places.

Overall, a really solid read, enjoyable for lovers of lesfic and those who love mysteries in general.
Recommended!
Profile Image for Ambre.
328 reviews10 followers
August 8, 2020
Some background: I discovered Ms. Digby’s books entirely by accident. She posted in a Facebook group that she was looking for readers for her ARC of Bloodring in exchange for honest reviews and I volunteered because it sounded like a great book (it was!!). I enjoyed it so much that I had to tell Ms. Digby personally just how much (I don’t usually do that because I feel super awkward sliding into people’s DMs, even if my intentions are pure). I’m so glad I took that leap though because she offered me an ARC of Stay, which I eagerly accepted because she’d already had me hooked with Bloodring. Now on to what you really came here for...

Stay is not your typical paranormal romance, but I LOVED it. Jade is a rough, jaded (pun intended), butch lesbian with a dark past, who cusses up a blue streak most of the time (like I do), and is super socially awkward, which is very endearing. She also just happens to see ghosts, which is how she meets Connie, the strong spirit of a young woman looking to find out just how she wound up on the other side.
The story leads you on a sometimes wild romp through the investigation and their budding romance, letting you get to know the two main characters in more depth, making you love them both. They’re supported by additional characters that you either love to love (I want Benny as my best friend! Coffee, muffins, books, and a fabulously cute personality - what more could you ask for in a friend?) or love to hate (I’m looking at you, Barton Butters). It ends on a high note and leaves things wide open for this to turn into a series, which I really hope it does.
Overall, a satisfying if not totally spooky ghost story with heart.
Profile Image for WLWBookReader.
31 reviews
April 30, 2020
Private investigatorJade Mayflower captured my attention from the start, but she captured my heart as the story unfolded. I think she is one of the most original and endearing characters I have read. She is an ex-con PI who has exceptional paranormal ability. When she meets the beautiful Connie, another soul struggling with life’s darkness, she is determined to solve the mystery of what happened to Connie. This captivating paranormal mystery romance delivers both humorous and heartbreaking moments. A satisfyingly fast, fantastic read!

Profile Image for Bethany.
701 reviews73 followers
September 19, 2021
I found this book while searching for queer books in our library catalogue and thought I'd give a chance because I can't pass up a ghost love story. Amazingly, I did like the love story! It had the right kind of angst that I enjoy. There were details to this story and the characters' actions that I sometimes found bizarre and over the top in a way that took me out of the story, which is why I didn't rate it higher. I also guessed two of the twists, but I don't mind that very much.
Profile Image for Char Dafoe.
Author 28 books192 followers
May 6, 2020
Stay was my very first book by this author. I was enthralled by Digby's storytelling, she had a way of making me lose all sense of time as I became lost in a world of this paranormal/crime drama.

At first, I thought ghosts were going to be popping out of nowhere, frightening me before bedtime with this story. And as true as the ghost popping was, it wasn't scary. We follow Jade, a twenty-year prison veteran who had been recently released with a colourful vocabulary, who solved murder mysteries. On top of that, she could communicate with the dead. Jade had spent half her life behind bars, at the age of 43, the world around her had changed, including a more and better acceptance towards the LGBTQ community. As we followed Jade around solving cases, we also watched how she navigated the more modern world with touch-screen phones, fancy coffee houses with their overpriced, over-indulgent ridiculous coffees, and just plain dating or hanging around women who weren't incarcerated criminals. It was quite comical at times. Jade, in my opinion, never let the time she did harden her, though. Even if her "bedside" manner was a little harsh at times. I think it added character and made her more endearing, really. Excessive, experimental cursing aside, she was a simple woman with simple tastes, needs, and wants with a kind heart. Her kind heart led her to falling for her latest client, Connie. Connie appeared out of nowhere, pleading for help from Jade, the paranormal PI. She was a sweet soul with a sad tale. Alone, desperate, lead-on by people she had trusted, and ultimately abandoned and used in the end. However, Connie was no damsel in distress, either. She had fight inside her, but couldn't quite reach that fight without the help of Jade.

For the first portion of this story I had no idea where it was headed. I couldn't fit all the puzzle pieces together just like Jade couldn't, either. I ached for Jade and Connie because of their growing devotion towards one another, but couldn't truly be with one another due to the circumstances. More than halfway through the book, I caught on to where, maybe, Digby was taking us, and I am so happy she did. Honestly, I prepared for a sour if not heartbreaking ending, but fortunately for all those hopeless romantics out there, including myself, someone who doesn't mind sad endings, Digby did not let us down. I did not feel one bit of sorrow or sadness for all the ones who wronged Connie when they all got what they had coming to them. I'd also like to tip my hat to Digby for introducing me to a whole new vocabulary!

A crime paranormal with a twist of romance and little bit spooky naughty ;)
Profile Image for Ban.
236 reviews17 followers
November 15, 2020
What a brilliant idea/book. I loved the entire idea of "slipping" and how Jade and Connie ended up bonding with Connie's little visits before she vanished again. I loved how they built their relationship. The part in which Jade watched Connie's echo jump off the bridge was heartbreaking. Truth be told, I was wondering how this book would work out in the end with how things happened and then it all made sense. I didn't trust Vickie at all, she was hella weird... loved the age gap aspect of their relationship as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rowan.
310 reviews3 followers
December 8, 2020
A must read

Words cannot do this book justice. It was brilliant, one of the best reads ever. I started with book 2, which was also good, so I thought I would read book 1. Great idea. Jade is a PI & can see ghosts. Connie is a spirit who asks Jade to investigate her death. There is so much more to it than that, but I don’t want to give anything away. Just read it you won’t regret it.
Profile Image for Jules.
48 reviews2 followers
October 17, 2021
I must admit I struggled to stay with this book. One of the MC was just too abrupt for me. She seemed to be always ready to jump into a fight, be it a physical or verbal one. And what was with the car chase? Even the romance appeared to be superficial. Am glad I decided to stick with it, as I rarely leave a book unfinished, and will probably give the author another go
Profile Image for Vervada.
671 reviews
October 21, 2020
I’ve already read five books from Mildred Gail Digby and I’ve enjoyed them all. At this point, I’ve decided to try out anything that she writes.
Profile Image for Laure.
282 reviews2 followers
September 30, 2019
🏳️‍🌈👩‍❤️‍👩📚⚢👻👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩📖👭🏳️‍🌈

That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received an ARC of « Stay » by Mildred Gail Digby. So, here it is !!!
Thank you Mildred so much for this good reading opportunity, it was a very pleasant surprise.

My rating : 4 ⭐️

The story sets in Traynor’s Port in Canada and focuses on Jade Mayflower an unsual P.I. who sees ghosts, shots curses faster than he shadow , and drives like if she were part of the Fast & Furious team & Constance « Connie » Mason who hires Jade to find out what happened to her and who did it. But Connie isn’t a typical client : she’s a disembodied spirit who appears in Jade’s office one night …Jade takes the case. About that, she has to confess to herself that’s not only because she is into getting justice, the fact that Connie has one of the cutest butts Jade has ever seen and a personality to match helped a lot the decision. The uncommon pair begin the investigatation and … can’t help flirting …


OK !!! So … For sure this novel is very different than the author’s last story (Perfect Match Book 1 and Book 2 released respectively on June 1, 2019 and on July 1, 2019) … And I liked it a lot !! … That’s a good paranormal book .. Way much better than some I’ve read recently …


The Pros :
° age gap romance
° the originality of the romance which would be considered as an « insta-love » relationship but that’s not not disturbing due to the paranormal aspect of the story …
° good MCs’ development : all the novel long, we learn something new about their background …
° good secondary characters (even if some of them are far from being loveable)
° the good writting style and the author’s humor
° this spooky (but not frightening) novel has a quick pace and some good suspense …


Since some people say I’m quite a nitpicker, I’d have only one minor remark => there were a few typos, some little mistakes and couple of confusing things … Seriously, nothing that a thorough beta reading and edit process couln’t fix. I sincerely hope the beta readers and editor will do a better job next time, I hate seeing good/great books wasted because of things like that (which could be avoided with a lil bit more of focus), it saddens me … + the cover could have been more accurate, I mean by that , that there’s no gun used in the novel (you’ll have to read it to know why guys, I don’t want to spoil) so I don’t see the point having one on the cover …



IDK on what the author will work next but I surely hope that someday, in a not too far future, we’ll be able to meet Jade and Connie again because I really liked those unusual lovebirds …



If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
- Did I enjoy this book? => Oh My Ghost 😋… yes !!
- Did I find the main characters believable? => Yes even if one of them is a disembodied one !! The MCs are also funny and touching …
- Is this book now included in my « must be re-read »-list? => Yes …
- Will I purchase the paperback? => Yep, someday …
- Would I read another book by this author? => Yes …
- Would I recommend this book => Yes … to everyone !!


Hey guys and gals, you know that now it’s your turn to investigate… So … Grab your own copy and make your own opinion …

Enjoy (or not) your reading … 😉

🏳️‍🌈👩‍❤️‍👩📚⚢👻👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩📖👭🏳️‍🌈
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